Methods of densifying and deterring deterioration and contamination of discrete particle material in a container



Aug. 13. 1968 N. PATON 3,396,762

. METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE v MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER 12 Sheets-Sheet i Filed Sept. 9, 1963 v INVENTOR. HAM/t TON All-ll (m -104m" JZ'TORNEY Aug. 13, 1968 H. N. K. PATON METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1965 INVENTOR. MIN/L700 NEIL KING PATON ATTORIIfY Aug. 13. 1968 K. PATON 3,396,762

METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION 0F DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL' IN A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. HAM/l 701v NEIL KING lam/v &+* I ATTORNEY Aug. H. N. K. PATON METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 9, 1963 INVENTOR. HAMILTON NEIL KING PATON ATTORNEY 1963 H. N. K PATON 3,396,762 YING AND DETE METHODS OF DENSIF RRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION DISCRETE.PARTICLE MATERIAL A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTTHL HWPWZHWY L hVNG FHTDH ATTORNEY Aug. 13, 1968 H. N. K. PATON 3,396,762

METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 N VENTOR.

K/NG PA TON B M M.

A TTORNEY Aug. 13, 1968 H. N. K. PATON METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. 9, 1963 INVENTOR. HAM/L TON IYE/L KING H470 ATTORNEY H. N. K. PATON Aug METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 9, 1963 INVENTOR. HAM/Holy lYE/L KING B47'0N ATTORNEY Aug. 13, 1968 H. N. K. PATON 3,396,762

METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 BY MM ATTORNEY K. PATON METHODS OF DENSIFYING. AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND Aug. 13, 1968 CONTAMINATION OE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 9, 1963 HAMILTON lYE/l. K/IYG PATOIY Aug. 13, 1968 N, K, PATON 3,396,762

METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet'11 ATTORNEY K. PATON 3,396,762

12 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Aug. 13, 1968 METHODS OF DENSIFYING AND DETERRING DETERIORATION AND CONTAMINATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1963 I INVENTOR. HAM/1T0 IVE/l 1mm Baron ATTORNEY United States Patent of Washington Filed Sept. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 307,447 9 Claims. (Cl. 141-7) This invention relates to a container having an internal membrane, the edges of which are sealed to the wall of a container in which material composed of discrete particles, or having the character of a sludge or slurry, is received.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a thin partition membrane in the upper portion of the container between the wall of the container and the material in the container, which will serve as an insulating and vapor barrier to deter condensation on the inner wall of a container, particularly one of metal, and to protect the material in the container from being moistened by such condensation on the container wall as may occur. Such membrane also decreases heat conduction between the container wall and discrete particle material within the container to deter freezing of the contained material when the exterior of the container is exposed to low temperatures, and to deter spoilage of organic material in the container resulting from such material being subjected to undesirably high temperatures when the exterior of the container is exposed to high temperature conditions. Such membrane also can be arranged to provide dead air insulating space between it and the container wall to reduce further heat conduction between material in the container and the wall of the container.

A further object is to provide a membrane in a container which can be pressed against discrete particle ma? terial in the container for the purpose of packing the particles together to increase the density of the material. The membrane can also be manipulated to assist in discharging material from the container by pressure of the membrane on such material. Preferably pressure of the membrane on the material is effected by providing a differential fluid pressure on opposite sides of the membrane, the pressure being higher in the space between the membrane and the outer wall of the container. Such pressure differential can be effected either by reducing the pressure in the material-receiving space within the container below atmospheric pressure or by increasing the pressure between the membrane and the container wall to a pressure above atmospheric pressure, or both. An important object in effecting such differential pressure between opposite sides of the membrane by reducing below atmospheric pressure the pressure at the material receiving side of the membrane, is that the pressure between the membrane and the container wall can be at atmospheric pressure so as not to exert differential pressure on the outer container wall which could crush it.

Another object is to provide the membrane installation in a container having walls capable of withstanding internal pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure so as to enable the pressure between the container wall and the membrane to be increased above atmospheric for insulation, compaction or discharge of material in the con- 3,396,762 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 "ice tainer. Such a container may, for example, be cylindrical or spherical and in the case of a cylindrical container the axis of the container can be either horizontal or vertical, as may be best suited to the particular installation. In any case it will usually be desirable to design the membrane to fit the particular shape of the container, and preferably it will be of a shape complemental to th internal shape of the container wall.

It is a particular object to provide an effective seal securing the edge of the membrane to the interior of the outer container wall in a manner to withstand a substantial differential in fluid pressure on opposite sides of the membrane without leakage and without danger of the membrane being detached from the container wall, even though it is subjected to a considerable tension force.

Another object is to provide a plurality of membranes in a rigid container which are mounted in a manner enabling the membranes to contact each other for affording mutual support. It is preferred that such membranes be of reversible character so that they can turn inside out. In one position such membranes can engage each other for mutual support, as mentioned, and in another position such membranes can engage a rigid wall of the container for support. The edge portion of such a membrane can be attached around the container wall in an upright plane or in a horizontal plane, or along a closed line which is not in a plane. Such a membrane can be of cup shape and may or may not be symmetrical about an axis.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a membrane which can be manipulated effectively to expedite initial discharge from a container of discrete particle material, which can be used advantageously to complete substantially the operation of discharging material from a container and which can generally facilitate the operation of discharging discrete particle material from a container. Such manipulation of the membrane can be accomplished most effectively by producing a differential fluid pressure on opposite sides of the membrane and preferably such fluid is air.

The membrane installation of the present invention can be utilized effectively either in stationary or mobile containers and it is an object to utilize for the membrane a material which is substantially inelastic and tough, while being highly flexible, wear resistant and economical. At the same time the membrane material should be inert so as not to contaminate material in the container which is edible or which is subject to deterioration or adulteration.

It is an additional object to provide suitable apertures in the container and/ or membrane for supply or discharge of fluid or discrete particle material, and to enable such apertures to be sealed easily in fluidtight condition. In this connection it is an object to prevent such an aperture, such as a material discharge aperture, from being obstructed by the membrane when its opposite sides are subjected to differential pressure.

The foregoing objects can be accomplished by membrane installations in containers of various types and shapes having either rigid or flexible walls. Protection of the material in a container from being dampened by condensation, and compaction of such material, can be accomplished by providing a membrane in the upper portion of the container. If material is to be removed by suction from a container which is not designed to withstand an internal pressure lower than atmospheric the membrane is in the form of a liner enclosing the entire material storage space within the container and the liner includes a plurality of membrane sheets which can be pressed into substantially contiguous engagement by application to them of atmospheric pressure between the membrane sheets and the container wall. The attachment of the liner to a flexible or a rigid container can be such as to enable the membrane to follow material in the container as it moves toward an outlet and the differential fluid pressure acting on the liner will press material toward the outlet whether the pressure at the out-let side of the membrane is reduced or the fluid pressure at the side of the membrane opposite the outlet is increased. For this type of operation the liner can be anchored so that the membrane cannot extend over and clog the outlet or special provision can be made to regulate the progress of movement of the membrane toward the outlet, and further provisions can be made to prevent the membrane from clogging the outlet at any time.

If a membrane having the capabilities discussed above is installed in a water craft the fluid employed to exert pressure on the membrane can be water. Whichever type of membrane is utilized its edge can be connected in fluidtight relationship to the wall of the container by anchoring the edge of the membrane in a groove integral with the wall, and securing the membrane edge in such groove by an anchoring strip.

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective of a railway tank car container in which an upper membrane is installed, parts being broken away, and FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are transverse sections through the tank of FIGURE 1, showing the liner in different operative positions.

FIGURE 5 is a detail top perspective of a portion of the tank of FIGURE 1 and a corresponding portion of the liner showing a modified construction, parts being broken away.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical transverse section through a different type of railway car body in which a membrane according to the present invention is installed, and FIG- URE 7 is a similar view showing a slightly modified type of membrane.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are top perspectives of a different type of container in which a membrane according to the present invention is installed, parts being broken away.

FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are top perspectives of a container similar to that shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, but having a different type of membrane installation, portions of the container and membrane within it being broken away. Such figures show the membrane in different conditions.

FIGURES 14 and 15 are horizontal transverse sections through the container, FIGURE 14 being taken on line 14-14 of FIGURE 11, and FIGURE 15 being taken on line 1515 of FIGURE 13. FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal vertical section through the container on line 16-16 of FIGURE 15.

FIGURES 17, 18 and broken 19 are longitudinal vertical sections through a container generally similar to that shown in FIGURE 1, but having membrane arrangements different from that of FIGURE 1 and different from each other.

FIGURE 20 is a view like FIGURE 17 showing a similar membrane in a modified container, and FIGURE 21 is a vertical cross section on line 2I--21 of FIGURE 20. FIGURE 22 also is a view like FIGURE 17 showing a similar membrane installation in a further modified type of container, and FIGURE 23 is a central horizontal section through the coitainer when empty, with parts broken away.

FIGURE 24 is a longitudinal vertical section through a container and membrane structure generally of the type shown in FIGURE 17, but having a different bottom construction. FIGURE 25 is a transverse section through such container and membrane on line 2525 of FIG- URE 24 and FIGURE 26 is a central horizontal longitudinal section through the container and membrane when the container is empty, part of the membrane being broken away.

FIGURE 27 is a vertical longitudinal section through a container generally of the type shown in FIGURES 17 to 19, but provided with a different type of membrane bottom construction, and FIGURE 28 is a transverse vertical section through the container taken on line 28 28 of FIGURE 27. FIGURE 29 is a central horizontal longitudinal section through the same container when the container is empty, having parts of the membrane broken away.

FIGURE 30 is a transverse vertical section through a container and membrane arrangement generally of the type shown in FIGURES 17 to 29, but with a different type of center section which can be used in any of the containers shown in such figures.

FIGURE 31 is a longitudinal vertical section through a container and membrane structure generally like that shown in FIGURES 17 to 29 incorporating a tyne of material moving structure in its central portion different from that in FIGURE 30, and FIGURE 32 is a vertical transverse section therethrough along line 3232 of FIGURE 31. FIGURE 33 is a view similar to FIGURE 32 of a modification.

FIGURE 34 is an enlarged vertical transverse section along line 32-32 of FIGURE 31, showing a different construction, and FIGURE 35 is a detail section on line 35-35 of FIGURE 34.

FIGURE 36 is a side elevation of a marine type of container equipped with membranes of the present invention. FIGURE 37 is a plan of such a container, FIG- URE 38 is an end elevation of the container and FIG- URES 39 and 40 are transverse sections through the container on line 39-39 of FIGURE 36 showing different conditions within the container. FIGURE 41 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 39-39 of FIGURE 36 of a modified structure.

FIGURE 42 is a top perspective of another marine container embodying a membrane of this invention and FIGURE 43 is an end elevation of such container with parts broken away.

FIGURE 44 is a top perspective of a different marine container incorporating a membrane in accordance with this invention, and FIGURE 45 is an end elevation of the container.

FIGURE 46 is a top perspective of a fragment of anchoring mechanism for securing the edge portion of a membrane to a rigid wall for use in any of the membrane installations shown in the above figures. FIGURE 47 is an exploded top perspective of the anchor mechanism shown in FIGURE 46.

FIGURES 48 to 53 are transverse sections through different alternative types of membrane edge securing structure.

FIGURE 54 is a top perspective of a fragment of a double engagement membrane edge portion securing device usable with a construction such as shown in FIG- URES 27, 28 and 29.

FIGURE 55 is a side elevation of a marine vessel with parts broken away, having membranes; FIGURE 56 is a transverse section on line 56-56 of FIGURE 55 and FIGURE 57 is a longitudinal vertical section through the vessel, one end being broken away.

While the various membrane installations in containers illustrated in the drawings are of different types, such installations have essentially one or more of three principal functions. The first function is that of constituting a vapor barrier and insulation element in a container. The second function is as an element for compacting or densifying material composed of fine discrete particles to increase the weight of material which can be accommodated in a given rigid or flexible container. The third function of the membrane installation is to facilitate unloading of discrete particle material or sludges or slurries from a rigid or flexible container by exerting controlled pressure on the material for moving it while, at the same time, if desired, protecting the container in which the membrane is installed from being subjected to an internal pressure below atmospheric pressure. These principles can be utilized whether the container is a stationary storage container of flexible or rigid character or a flexible or rigid transportation container, such as a tank, truck or tank trailer, or a buoyant marine tank, or a railway tank car.

The membrane installations of the present invention are especially concerned with containers for storing or transporting discrete particle material, which term is intended to embrace any material having reasonable flow characteristics including fine powdered material, such as flour or cement; granular [material such as sugar, salt or sand; coarse particle material such as whole grain or corn kernels; chunky material such as pellets, pulp chips and briquets, and small objects such as corn cobs, fruit and vegetables, such as oranges and potatoes, which, while being of irregular shape, are nevertheless sufliciently rounded so that they will roll one on another. All of such products are included within the term discrete particle material because all of them have the characteristics of not being liquid, their particles not adhering into a mass and of forming a reasonably steep angle of repose when piled. It should be understood that the specific items mentioned are only intended as examples to illustrate material having the characteristics pertinent to utilization of the present invention.

A principal application for the present invention is in rail cars, which may take the form of either a tank car 1, shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, or hopper car 2, shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. In each of these applications of the invention a membrane 3a in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, and 3b in FIGURES 6 and 7 extends within the upper portion of the car container, preferably approximately the upper half of the car container, as a liner. The lower edge portion of this membrane is secured to the wall of the rigid container around the container periphery substantially in a horizontal plane. The membrane preferably is shaped generally complementally to the interior of the container so that it can fit the inner sides of the container Walls reasonably contiguously. Thus, in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4 the membrane 3a is of generally semi-cylindrical shape and the membrane 3b of FIGURES 6 and 7 is of generally rectangular pan shape. In both instances the membrane is reversible, without being detachable, so that it can move between a position lining the upper portion of the container and a position substantially inverted and sagging below the edge portion of the membrane secured to the container wall.

In each instance the membrane 3a and 3b should be of relatively strong and tough, very flexible sheet material, which preferably is inelastic. Such material may be a fabric rendered air impermeable and waterproof, such as neoprene coated nylon fabric, or the membrane can be of nonwoven material such as polyester resin sheet, available under the trade name Mylar. Such membrane materials are to be understood as merely representative. In each of the instances mentioned, however, when such a membrane is interposed between discrete particle material in the lower portion of the car and the rigid upper portion of the car shell, there will be only a very small air space above the liner, as shown in FIG- URES 5, 6 and 7, when the container is loaded. Such air can carry only a small amount of moisture. The membrane barrier prevents the ascension of moisture from the material received in the container into contact with the upper portion of the container wall.

Normally, railway tank cars are made of metal and frequently railway hopper cars are metal. If flour, for example, is loaded into such cars and the exterior of their containers is subjected to low temperatures, warm moist air will rise from the material in the car into contact with the cold container wall so that such air will be cooled below the dew point and the moisture will therefore be precipitated from it onto the interior of the container wall. As sufficient moisture collects it will drip off the container walls as condensate to dampen the surfaces of the flour. This moist condition promotes mold, adhesion and other deterioration of the surface portion of the flour, which is undesirable. Such moisture condition will also produce an undesirable effect on other types of material which may be transported or stored in a container. Provision of the membrane barrier deters the occurrence of such condition because the membrane itself, even where it is in contact with the interior of the container wall, is a poor enough conductor of heat so that usually it will not chill air coming in contact with it sufficiently to precipitate the moisture from the air.

Further, the membrane 3a or 3b provides some insulation effect, tending to stabilize the temperature of the material in the container, especially if some dead air space is formed between the membrane and the rigid container wall. The contents of the container will tend to maintain a higher temperature than the atmosphere to which the container is subjected, if such atmospheric temperature is below freezing, so as to afford at least some protection against freezing of the container contents. Conversely, conduction of heat from the exterior of the container through the membrane is deterred, so as to decrease damage to the contents of the car which might result from its exterior being subjected to undesirably high temperatures. Particularly if the car is refrigerated the efficiency and hence, economy, of the refrigeration is increased.

While, as has been mentioned, it is essential that the membrane form a substantially airtight barrier within the container between opposite sides of the membrane it is convenient to load the container from the top. In order to place the load beneath the membrane, therefore, it is necessary for the material received in the container to pass through openings in the membrane. In FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4 filler openings 4 in the upper side of the container are shown as having upwardly projecting flanges encircling them. The membrane 3a is then provided with elongated necks 5 at locations along its length corresponding to the container filler ports 4. The ends of these necks can be drawn upward through the container ports, as shown in FIGURE 2, and folded reversely over the filler port flanges in which position the necks S can be retained by an elastic or clamping band 6.

In order to maintain the membrane necks 5 open during the filling operation the membrane may be pressed into substantially contiguous contact With the inner wall of the container by connecting a suction source to the opening 7 through the upper portion of the container wall in communication with the space between such wall and the membrane. As air is sucked out of this connection the atmospheric pressure within the container will press the membrane outward into engagement with the container wall to form a liner, as shown in FIGURE 2. Since the upper portion of the membrane neck 5 is secured to the filler port 4 flange the neck will droop in return-folded condition within the container, as shown in FIGURE 2.

With the liner 3a held in the position of FIGURES l and 2 material is loaded through the filler ports 4 into the car tank until it reaches a level generally like that shown in FIGURE 2. The suction applied to opening 7 can then be discontinued and fluid under pressure, in this particular case preferably being air, can be supplied to the opening 7 to press the membrane away from the tank wall. The membrane will be pressed against the material in the tank generally in the manner shown in FIGURE 3, so as to squeeze air fromthe spaces between the particles of the material which will escape through the ports 4. The material will thus be compacted and densified and thus reduced in volume. Suction can then again be applied to the connection 7 to draw the membrane back into the position of FIGURE 2 to enable additional material to be fed into the tank through the ports 4. After a substantial additional amount of material has thus been received in the car a supply of air under pressure again can be connected to the opening 7, or suction can be applied to a filler port 4 to press the membrane 311 down against the material to compact it further. This procedure can be repeated until the tank of the car has been virtually completely filled.

When the filling operation has thus been completed the securing ring 6 can be removed from the liner neck 5 and such neck can be contracted or twisted closed, bound and pushed down into the filler port. Such port can then be covered by a suitable cap 8, as shown in FIGURE 4. Instead of the liner having necks 5 it may be possible simply to provide a cover 9 for an opening in the membrane 3a, as shown in FIGURE 5. Preferably this cover is attached to the membrane at one point so as to prevent it from sliding into the space between the liner and the tank wall inadvertently. If such a closure is used a filling spout of suitable type should be provided to extend down through the tank loading port 4 into, or through, the liner opening.

Membrane 3b in the hopper car of FIGURES 6 and 7 is similar to the membrane 34 described above, and serves the same general function. In the case of a hopper car the loading ports 4 usually are staggered along the length of the car to enable the material to be supplied more readily to opposite sides of the container. The liner necks 5 can be like those described above and when the loading has been completed they can be bound and pushed into the upper portion of the car, as shown in FIGURE 6. In FIG- URE 7 the liner openings are closed by covers 9, like that shown in FIGURE 5.

Usually such discrete particle material, if it is of powdered or granular character, is removed from a container by suction. FIGURE 4 illustrates the procedure of removing such material from the tank car 1 through the discharge port 10 by suction. During such operation either the opening 7 or the loading port 4 is uncovered to vent the space within the tank above the membrane 3a, which is in contact with the load. As the suction reduces the pressure within the material below atmospheric, the atmospheric pressure above the membrane 3a presses such membrane against the upper portion of the material, which presses the material toward the outlet. During this operation the inside of the tanks upper portion is not subjected to differential pressure because the pressure both inside and outside the container is atmospheric. Also, while the pressure in the lower portion of the tank is somewhat less than atmospheric the pressure on opposite sides of the material load is equal so that little or no tendency for the lower portion of the container to be deformed occurs.

It will be appreciated that as material continues to be withdrawn from the tank the membrane 3a continues to follow the upper portion of the material downward until the tank has been emptied completely. Consequently, it is necessary for the membrane to be reversible from the upwardly extending position in FIGURE 2 to substantially a corresponding downward position. For that reason the edge of the membrane must be secured circumferentially around the car tank, as shown in FIGURE 1, approximately in the horizontal central plane of the tank. If the membrane is to be of minimum extent the necks 5 should be long enough so that they will not be stretched undesirably when the membrane is pressed against the upper portion of the load of material in the tank to compact it. While such compacting is not necessary it is highly desirable, particularly in transportation tanks, in order to increase the density of the material and consequently increase the load of a given type of material which can be transported by a given tank vehicle. Also, by subjecting the membrane to differential pressure in which the pressure below the membrane is lower, and above the membrane is higher, the membrane will act to force material toward and through the discharge port, even though the material itself, such as chunky material, would not be moved readily by suction.

In FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 a storage tank 11 of a shape different from those of FIGURES 1 and 6 is shown having in it a membrane 3c generally comparable to the membrane 3a of the tank in FIGURE 1, and the membrane 3b in the tank of FIGURE 6. In this instance the tank would be used primarily for plant storage purposes, rather than for transportation, and is shown to be of cylindrical shape in which the axis of the tank extends vertically. The liner 3c is of generally cylindrical shape, having one end closed by a circular end portion, except for a central port which may have a neck 5. The end of the membrane liner opposite the circular end wall is secured circumferentially to the wall of the tank approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the tank. Such tank has a filling port 4 located centrally in its upper end and of a diameter corresponding generally to the diameter of the membrane neck 5. The lower end of the container has in it a discharge port 10 and such container bottom may be of hopper shape to facilitate complete emptying of the tank.

The operation of the membrane installation, shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, is similar to that described in connection with FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4. In FIGURE 8 the membrane 30 is shown as being pressed upward into substantially contiguous engagement with the inner side of the wall of tank 11 by atmospheric pressure within the tank as the opening 7 is connected to a suction source. After the tank has been filled while such suction remains applied, the neck 5 can be removed from the filling port 4 by taking off the retaining band 6 and the neck can be bound and pushed into the tank through the filling port, as shown in FIGURE 9. When material is being removed from the tank the opening 7 can be in communication with the atmosphere and the differential pressure on opposite sides of the membrane can cause the membrane to press against the upper portion of the material in the tank and follow it down as it is discharged.

The container liner installation, shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, is not suited to compaction of the material at intervals because of the short length of the neck 5 extending from the liner to the filler opening. A longer neck could, of course, be used if desired, but even then it would be difficult to obtain such compaction of discrete particle material in the container if the container were less than half full of such material. Also, since the membrane 3c extends only approximately half way down the wall of the container, reliance could not be placed on this liner to assist in discharging the material completely from the container. The membrane arrangement shown in FIGURES 11 to 16, however, has the capability of compacting discrete particle material in the container, however full the container may be, of effecting complete emptying of the container and also serving to provide insulation and a moisture barrier between the discrete particle material in the container and the container wall.

In this form of membrane installation the membrane is composed of four sections including an upper section 3d and three lower sections 3e. The upper membrane section 3a is of generally circular shape having a neck 5 in its central portion, which can be pulled upward through the filler port 4 and folded over the flange of such port and secured in place by a band 6, which may be an elastic ring, as discussed in connection with the membrane and container disclosed in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10. There are preferably three lower membrane sections 3e which are similar to each other, and which are of cylindrically arcuate shape approximately in extent complemental to the curvature of the cylindrical container 11. The length of such membrane sections corresponds to that portion of the height of the container 11 below the upper membrane section 3d. The upper edge portions of the membrane sections 3e are secured to the periphery of the upper membrane section 3d, so that, as shown in FIGURE 11, the three lower membrane sections 3e and the upper membrane sections 3d cooperatively will constitute a liner for the entire wall area of the container above its bottom. The bottom of the lower membrane sections 3e may be closed and the container bottom can be lined by a further membrane section 3 overlying the bottom of the container, of generally circular shape, and the peripheral edge portions of which are joined to the lower edges of the lower wall membrane sections 3e.

The upper membrane section 3d is secured to the container only by its neck 5 extended through and secured around the filler port 4. The bottom membrane section 31 has an opening 12 in its central portion corresponding in size and location to the discharge port in the bottom of the container 11. Such diaphragm section opening 12 is suitably secured by a fluidtight joint around the periphery of the container discharge port 10. The edges of the three wall membrane sections 3e are secured to the container adjacent to each other at longitudinal locations spaced apart approximately 120, as shown in FIGURES 12 and 15, for example. Such wall sections thus cooperate in forming a substantially cylindrical container liner complemental to the cylindrical container 11 and forming fluidtight partition means.

A suitable connection or connections 7 through the container wall provide for air or inert gas under atmospheric pressure, or at a pressure higher than atmospheric, to be supplied to the space or spaces between the membrane and the container wall. One of such connections is provided in each of the container wall sections across which a membrane section 3e is sealed. If combustible dust material is to be stored in the container, the explosion hazard during load or unloading can be virtually eliminated by filling the space between the membrane and the container wall with inert gas. Since such space is protected from contamination by dust material, the inert gas expelled or withdrawn from a connection 7 can be compressed or stored for reuse. Initially, suction may be applied to each fluid connection when the filler port 4 is open and the discharge port 10 is suitably closed, so that the atmospheric pressure within the membrane will press the various membrane sections into substantially contiguous engagement with the inner side of the container walls, top and bottom, as shown in FIGURES 11 and 14. With the liner membrane thus held in expanded condition discrete particle material can be supplied to the filling opening 4 to fill the interior of the membrane assembly.

When the container has been approximately one-half filled the filling procedure can be interrupted and air under pressure can be supplied to the connections 7 instead of suction. As the pressure on opposite sides of the membrane sections 3e becomes equalized the joints between the upper portions of the wall sections 3e and the periphery of the upper membrane section 3d will droop generally along chords of the container between the lines of attachment of the wall sections 3e to the container, so that the three chord lines will form generally an equilateral triangle, as shown in FIGURE 12. If air under pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure is then supplied to the connections 7 the membrane will be pressed against the discrete particle material to expel air from the interstices through the filler port 4 and the joint portions between the membrane sections 3e and the upper membrane sections 3d will be folded under along the chord lines, as shown in FIGURE 16. This discrete particle material will thus be densified at intervals during the container filling operation.

When the container has been filled completely with discrete particle material the neck 5 of the upper membrane section 3d can be released from the filler port, bound and moved downward through the filler port in a manner similar to that shown in FIGURE 9, so that the filler port can be closed by a suitable cap while the material is being stored. While the container is sealed the membrane 3d, 3e and 3f will function to a considerable extent as insulation for the contents of the container to deter its deterioration either from freezing or from being heated excessively. Also, as described above, the membrane 3d will deter condensation of moisture on the interior of the container top and will protect the material within the container from being dampened by any condensation which may occur within the upper portion of the container when it is subjected to low external temperatures.

When discrete particle material is to be discharged from a container equipped with a membrane installation such as shown in FIGURES 11 to 16, inclusive, the discharge port 10 will be opened and any suitable provision can be made for transporting the mate-rial 'away from the container. A difierential fluid pressure should be established on opposite sides of the membrane installation and such differential can be established by applying a suction to the discharge port 10 and opening the connections 7 to atmosphere, or by connecting to the openings 7 a source of air under pressure higher than atmospheric, or both. In any case the filler port 4 will remain closed so that the membrane installation will be virtually fluidtight and will be substantially completely filled with discrete particle material at the inception of the discharge operation. The membrane will therefore be in substantially contiguous engagement with the body of material in the container.

The differential pressure on opposite sides of the membrane partition will cause the membrane to press against the discrete particle material, the effect of which will be to press such material toward the discharge port 10, As material is discharged from the bottom of the container the material will be moved generally downward by gravity to maintain the lower portion of the container reasonably well filled. Normally, the material would tend to be discharged first from the upper central portion of the container, but the eiTect of the differential pressure on the wall membrane sections 3e will be to press the material toward the center of the container so that the central portion of the liner in profile, as seen at the left of FIGURE 16, will form a reverse curve shape, the upper portion of which is convex at the material side and the lower portion of which is concave at the material side. The upper portions of the wall membrane sections will move progressively toward each other as material 1s discharged from the container until they abut in contiguity, as shown in FIGURE 15. The upper membrane section 3d will be collapsed onto the upper portions of the wall membrane sections 3e.

As material continues to be discharged from the discharge port 10 the inwardly convex upper portions of the membrane sections 3e will increase in extent and the lower inwardly concave portions of the membrane sections will decrease in extent as the membrane urges the discrete particle material from above toward a position overlying the discharge port 10. During this operation it will be evident from a comparison of FIGURES 12 and 13 in conjunction with FIGURE 16 that the membrane sections 3e will be peeled progressively from the container wall from the top down in a rolling type of motion to press the material toward the center of the container. When this peeling action has progressed to the lower edge of the wall membrane sections 3e the pressure on such sections will raise outer edge portions of the bottom membrane section 3 to continue the procedure of moving the material toward the center of the container over the discharge port. Where three wall sections 3e are provided, as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16, the edge portions of the bottom membrane 3 will be raised initially at locations spaced apart and from these locations the bottom membrane. will be progressively peeled from engagement with the bottom to follow the inward movement of the wall membrane sections 3e.

During the operation of emptying the container 11 in the manner described above, it will be evident that the wall membrane sections 3e are reversed or turned inside out as far as their material holding ability is concerned. Thus, when the container is filled with discrete particle material or is ready to be filled, as shown in FIGURES l1 and 14, the membrane sections 3e are inwardly concave; whereas, at the completion of the container emptying operation such wall membrane sections have been inverted to the positions shown in FIGURE 15 in which their inner sides are convex. Throughout the material discharge operation it will be evident that, despite application of suction to the discharge port 10 for the purpose of removing the material, no portion of the container 11 has been subjected to pressure below atmospheric pressure. On the contrary, the pressure between the membrane and the container is always equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure except when suction is applied to the connections 7 to move the membrane into substantial contiguity with the inner wall of the container, as shown in FIGURES l1 and 14. Even then, the membrane is pressed against the container wall by internal atmospheric pressure so that the container is never subjected to a higher external collapsing pressure.

If air under pressure greater than atmospheric is supplied to the connections 7 for the purpose of expediting discharge of discrete particle material from the discharge port 10, whether or not suction is applied to such discharge port, the container may be subjected to some degree of internal bursting pressure. For that reason it is desirable for the container 11 to be of cylindrical cross section so as to be able to resist such bursting tendency satisfactorily. The degree of pressure above atmospheric in the space between the rigid container and the membrane will affect, to some extent, the rate at which the material is discharged from the container. Also, of course, the degree of reduction in pressure applied to the discharge port 10 or the application of air under pressure to a discharge line connected to the discharge port 10 will affect the rate of material discharge.

If the discharge operation of the material is to be effected entirely by suction exerted on a connection to the discharge port, the lower the suction pressure and the higher the pressure above atmospheric between the membrane partition and the rigid container the greater will be the differential in pressure on opposite sides of the membrane and the greater will be the force with which the membrane presses on the material in the container, The actual flow of air through the discharge pipe under these circumstances will, however, be very low if no air is admitted to the discharge conveying line. If the material is of fine powdered character or granular, therefore, the material in the discharge pipe will be quite dense and can be conveyed through only a short distance. The distance over which such material being discharged can be conveyed in a discharge pipe by the application of suction can be increased greatly by admitting supplemental air to the discharge pipe at a location adjacent to the discharge port 10 of the container and perhaps at intervals along the pipe. Such supplemental air will loosen the powdered or granular material in the pipe to a greater or lesser extent and greatly accelerate the flow of material along the pipe and the distance over which it can be transported.

Alternatively, instead of applying suction to the discharge pipe connected to the discharge port 10 of the container, air under pressure can be supplied to the discharge pipe adjacent to the discharge port 10 and, if desired, also at intervals along the discharge pipe. Such air also will mix with powdered or granular material in the discharge pipe and will increase greatly the rate of flow of such material through the pipe and the distance over which the material can be transported. In some cases it may be desirable to combine the procedures proposed above by applying a suction to the extreme discharge end of a long discharge pipe and supplying air under pressure greater than atmospheric at or adjacent to the discharge port 10, and perhaps at intervals along the discharge line. With such an arrangement the velocity of flow through the discharge line and the length of the discharge line could be maximum.

Whatever may be the pressure of the air supplied to the discharge pipe at or adjacent to the discharge port 10, the pressure in the container between the membrane and the container wall at the side of the membrane opposite that engaged by the material will be greater than the pressure at the discharge port, so that the membrane will be pressed against the material in the container to urge it toward the discharge port. Moreover, whatever may be the differential in the air pressure at opposite sides of the membrane such pressure differential can be maintained until the entire contents ofthe container have been discharged because there is no possibility of the air supplied to the container through the connections 7 providing a sudden blast of air through the discharge line, as would be possible if the container were simply air-pressurized without provision of the partition membrane. Instead, at the end of the discharging operation the membrane sections are simply pressed together at the center of the container in the manner indicated in FIGURE 15, and pressed against the discharge port while containing within the container the air at pressure higher than atmospheric. Consequently, it is entirely practical to utilize the same pressure differential at opposite sides of the membrane until the very last material has been discharged from the container.

When the emptying operation has been completed the supply of air under pressure to the connections 7 is interrupted and suction again may be applied to these connections while air is admitted through the discharge port It The differential pressure thus applied in reverse to the membrane will distend it again into the position shown in FIGURES l1 and 14. The filler port 4 may then be opened and the neck 5 pulled out through it for securement in the manner shown in FIGURES 11 and 16 preparatory to the container being filled again.

A different type of membrane installation capable of being manipulated in a manner comparable to that described in connection with FIGURES 11 to 16, but applicable to a horizontally elongated container, is shown in various embodiments in FIGURES 17 to 32, inclusive. In FIGURES 17 to 32 the container 12 could be used as a stationary in-plant storage container or a marine vessel or a land transportation container such as a tank car, a tank truck, a semitrailer tank or a trailer tank. Because of the elongated character of the container it is desirable for it to have a plurality of filler ports 4 spaced along its length and a plurality of discharge ports 10 which may correspond in location to the filler ports lengthwise of the tank. It is preferred that the tank be divided into a plurality of compartments by fixed rigid transverse partitions 13 located substantially midway between adjacent filler ports and discharge ports. While only one such partition is shown in the tanks of FIGURES 17 to 31, additional partitions could be provided if a longer tank were used or if it were desired to provide shorter compartments within the tank. Such partitions may be perforated to afford fluid intercommunication between the compartments.

In each of the various tank compartments a plurality of flexible membrane partitions are provided which conform to the internal shape of the container so that in one position a membrane section will serve as a liner for a portion of the tank. The membrane can be moved to and held up in such lining position, however, only by exerting on the liner a greater fluid pressure on its side away from the container wall than on the wall side. In FIGURES 17 to 31 the tank is shown as being of cylindrical shape and cup-shaped membrane elements also are substantially cylindrical or in the shape of a cylindrical section, and are reversible to turn inside out, in effect, as are the membrane sections 3e, described above. In each 13 instance membrane sections are located at opposite sides of the circumferential band of the tank where the filler port 4 and the discharge port are.

In FIGURE 17 the cylindrical cup-shaped membrane section fitting each tank end has a curved end, whereas the bottoms of the membrane sections abutting the fixed partition 13 are planar. Such membrane sections are otherwise of similar shape. The peripheral edges of such membrane sections are suitably secured by fluid-tight joints 14 extending circumferentially of the container adjacent to the filler port 4 and the discharge port 10 in each instance. Each membrane element may then shift its position relative to its edge joint 14 from a position in which it constitutes a liner for one portion of the tank into a reversed position where the side of the membrane which was convex when the membrane was a liner has become concave, and the side of the membrane which was concave at the time it functioned as a liner has become convex.

As shown in FIGURE 17, connections or openings through the wall of the container 12 are provided in the wall portions of the container to be engaged by the membrane sections 3g as liners. By connecting a suction source to an opening 7, therefore, the membrane section 3g for the corresponding portion of the container can be pressed by air under higher pressure at the opposite side of the membrane into substantially contiguous engagement with the container wall. In order to supply adequate air under pressure for this purpose it may be necessary to open a filler port 4 or a discharge port 10. When a section of the container is to be filled with discrete particle material both of its openings 7 are connected to a suction source, or such openings are vented and pressure fluid supplied inside the tank section, so that both membrane sections 3g are moved into tank lining position, as in the right compartment of the tank shown in FIGURE 17.

With the discharge port 10 closed by a suitable cover and the filler port 4 open the compartment of the tank 12 can then be filled with discrete particle material. Particularly if such material is of the powdered or granular type the filling operation can be interrupted at intervals, especially after the compartment is more than half full, and a source of air under greater than atmospheric pressure can be connected to the openings 7 instead of a suction source or sources. The membranes 3g will be pressed away from the container walls by such fluid pressure and pressed against the material in the compartment to squeeze out air from between the particles of the material and pack and densify it. Such successive packing operations will increase greatly the weight of material which can be received in a container compartment. It probably will not be possible to fill the compartment completely because of the elongated character of the compartment completely because of the elongated character of the compartment, but the upper surface of the load may assume a position generally as indicated in the right compartment of the tank shown in FIGURE 17.

When it is desired to unload the container the membrane sections 3g are operable to facilitate and expedite the unloading operation generally in the same manner as the membrane sections 3e, described in connection with FIGURES 11 to 16. The action of these membrane sections is illustrated in the left compartment of tank 12, shown in FIGURE 17. While there is no discharge conduit shown connected to the discharge duct 10 in this figure or other figures it will be understood that normally such :a conduit would be connected to the discharge port. Consequently, a suitable valve arrangement normally would be provided in the discharge port which would be closed while the cover is being removed from the discharge port 10 and the discharge :duct is being connected.

When the load is to be discharged from a compartment the valve in the discharge port 10 is opened and usually either suction or compressed air or both is supplied to the discharge conduit, as has been discussed above. Even if a source of suction were connected to the openings 7 to hold the membrane sections 3g in tank wall lining position material directly above the discharge port 10 would be discharged through it until the discrete particle material at opposite sides of the discharge port has reached a natural angle of repose. The problem is then to move the body of material of generally rectangular cross section, as shown in the right end of the left compartment in FIG- URE 17, into a position to drop through the discharge port 10.

When a tank compartment such as shown at the right of FIGURE 17, or a container, equipped with elements 3g, is to be unloaded, air, preferably under pressure, is supplied to one of the openings 7. Unless suction is applied to the discharge port 10, such air must be under pressure. The higher fluid pressure acting on the side of the mem brane section 3g opposite the discharge port will press the membrane in the corresponding end compartment down against the material and toward the outlet 10. As shown in the left end of the left compartment of FIG- URE 17, the pressure behind the left membrane section will urge it into a reverse curve shape, so as to roll the upper part of the pile of material in the left end of the container compartment toward a position above the discharge port 10. It should be noted particularly that it is not necessary for the material to be lifted by such reverse curve rolling of the membrane section, but such section shifts the upper portion of the body of the material principally laterally. As material continues to be urged toward a position over the discharge port 10 the upper portion of the membrane element is peeled inwardly from the wall of the container, as indicated at the left of FIG- URE 17. The weight of the material holds the lower portion of the membrane element down, while the upper portion of the element continues to bulge progressively farther to the right.

Such fluid pressure differential can continue to be applied beneficially to the membrane until enough of the contents in such end of the compartment has been discharged so that a considerable portion of the membrane will bear against the standing face of the material in the opposite end of the compartment, as shown by line A in FIGURE 17. Air, again preferably under pressure, will then be supplied to the connection 7 of the other compartment end, while reducing the fluid pressure between the container wall and the first membrane section to a value below the pressure within the container. A suction source at a pressure lower than any suction applied to the discharge port 10 can be connected to the first opening 7, or such first opening can be vented if the tank interior is pressurized. Consequently, the first membrane section, at the left of FIGURE 17, will be pressed back again into a container lining position such as shown in the right end of the left compartment in FIGURE 17.

When differential fluid pressure is thus applied to the right membrane section 3g, its upper portion in turn is urged toward the central portion of the left container compartment in FIGURE 17 and moves material to a position over the discharge port 10 until eventually it assumes a position fully to the left of its edge connection to the container when all of the material has been moved out of the right end of the left compartment. The right opening 7 is then subjected to a pressure lower than that within the central portion of the container compartment so that the latter pressure will press the right membrane element 3g to the right back again into lining relationship to the tank wall. Air, preferably under pressure, is then again supplied to the opening 7 communicating with the left end of the left compartment in FIGURE 17 so that the left membrane section will again be urged to the right away from its container lining position in a reverse curve shape as shown in FIGURE 17. By this action the upper portion of the body of material in the left end of the container compartment at the left of partition 13 will be rolled to the right into a position above the discharge port. The left membrane section will bulge progressively farther to the right, beyond the position A, because the right end of the compartment is empty, and be peeled progressively from the left end of the container compartment, until this membrane section has moved through position B and has reversed completely or been turned inside out in position C.

While theoretically such second manipulation of the left membrane section in the container formed by the left compartment of the tank 12 in FIGURE 17 will have moved all the material in the left end of the container into the discharge outlet, actually the lower portion of this liner may have rolled in return bent shape across the outlet as indicated at 15 in FIGURE 17, so that some of such material will have been transferred onto the lower portion of the right membrane section 3g. When the left membrane has been reversed completely, therefore, it will be desirable to connect a suction source to the opening 7 communicating with the left end of the left compartment in FIGURE 17 and vent the container, or pressurize the container and vent left opening 7, so as to effect movement of the left liner membrane section 3g back into container lining position. A source of air under low pressure is then connected to the right opening 7, so that the right membrane section will move gently through the reverse curve shape like that shown in FIGURE 17 into completely reversed position. This further manipulation of the right membrane section may empty completely the left compartment of the tank, but some material may be transferred back onto the left membrane section and can be cleaned out manually.

The right compartment of the tank 12 shown in FIG- URE 17 can be emptied in the same manner as the left comparment. When both compartments have been emptied suction sources can be connected to the openings 7 to return the membrane sections to their container lining positions. The valve in each discharge port 10 can then be closed and a cover applied to it preparatory to the tank being filled again.

While the membrane sections 3g of FIGURE 17 are shown as having edge portions lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tank and of such cup-shaped elements, it is not necessary that the membrane edge be located in such a plane. Thus, in FIGURE 18 the circumferential edges of the cup-shaped membrane elements 3h are shown as being disposed in planes inclined relative to the axis of the tank and the cup-shaped membrane elements. Such membrane edge plane is shown as being inclined upward away from the discharge port 10 in the bottom of the container, but the inclination of such plane to vertical must not exceed about Otherwise the membrane will be unable to deflect far enough toward the outlet to displace material into a position for gravity discharge through the outlet. Alternatively, the edge of each membrane section could be disposed in a plane inclined in the opposite direction so that the upper portion of the membrane section in each instance would be located close to a filler port 4, while the lower portion of the membrane edge would be spaced a substantial distance from the discharge port 10. The function and operation of the membrane section would be in general the same as described in connection with the membrane sections 3g of FIGURE 17.

In the partition membrane arrangement shown in FIG- URE 19 cup-shaped membrane sections 3g of the type shown in FIGURE 17 are utilized as the basic membrane elements. To upper segments of the membrane elements 3g are attached additional membrane elements 3i, which overlie the sides of the mmebrane elements 3g opposite the container wall. Such liner segments 3i have their edges connected to the main membrane sections 3g in a plane inclined from a location adjacent to the filler port 4 downwardly away from the joint 14 of the membrane sections 3g with the container 12. As before, openings 7 communi- 1b eating with the space between the container wall and the membrane sections 3g are provided, and an additional connection 7' establishes communication between the exterior of the container 12 and the space between the two membrane elements 3g and 31' through the joint 14.

In using the double membrane element installation shown in FIGURE 19 both membrane elements can be pressed into the container lining position shown at the right of FIGURE 19 by connecting a suction source to both openings 7 and 7'. The container can then be filled through the filler port 4, as discussed previously. When the container is to be unloaded the suction connections will be made to both openings 7 and an air pressure connection will be made to one or both of the connections 7'. Such air under pressure will press the membrane section 3i away from the membrane section 3g to which it is connected, and in doing so will roll material from the upper portion of the body toward a location above the discharge port 10. The membrane section Si in each instance will pass through a reverse curve shape until it has been extended to its extreme position of separation from the membrane section 3g, shown in dot-dash lines.

If air under pressure is supplied to both openings 7 simultaneously the two membrane sections 3i will abut at the center of the container as material is discharged from both ends of the container generally comparable to the abutment of the membrane sections 3e discussed in connection with FIGURE 15. It is probable that somewhat more material will be discharged from the container if air under pressure is supplied through both openings 7' simultaneously, instead of through one or the other of such connections alternately. In either instance, however, suction sources may be connected to the openings 7 so that the membrane sections 3g will be held in their container lining positions. It will be seen from FIGURE 19 that with the membrane sections 3g held in their container lining positions it is impossible for the membrane sections 31' to obstruct the passage through the discharge port 10, even if the space between both membrane sections 31 and their associated membrane sections 3g are inflated by air above atmospheric pressure.

When the maximum amount of material has been dis charged by displacement of the membrane sections 31' relative to the membrane sections 3g, openings 7' can be connected to suction sources so that the membrane sections 31' and 3g of each membrane unit will be pressed tightly together and will function as a single membrane element. Alternatively, the connections 7 can then be supplied with air under pressure to complete the discharge of material from the container by a procedure similar to that described in connection with FIGURE 17. After all the material has been discharged from the container the double element membrane unit can be moved back into container lining position by connecting a suction source to each of the connections 7 and 7.

In some instances it may be found that when air under pressure is supplied to a connection 7 communicating with the space between a wall of the container 12 and a membrane section 3g, the membrane may tend to peel from the container wall lower portion nearer the discharge port 10 before it peels from the lower portion of the container at a location farther from the discharge port because of the fluid pressure beneath the membrane. Thus the lower portion of the membrane may assume a reverse curve shape, as indicated by line A in FIGURE 17, forming a pocket next to the discharge port in which discrete particle material is trapped. As the membrane is moved from position A to position B, its lower portion will tend to roll across the discharge port and obstruct it while such portion carries a small quantity of discrete particle material into the opposite end of the compartment. Reversing the fluid pressure on both membrane sections may simply result in approximately the same amount of material being similarly carried back into the first compartment end. To deter such rolling of the lower mem- 

1. THE METHOD OF DETERRING DETERIORATION OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER, WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING A CONTAINER HAVING RIGID WALL AND A FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE PARTITION THEREIN HAVING ITS MARGIN SEALED TO THE CONTAINER WALL AT ONE SIDE OF DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL RECEIVED ON THE CONTAINER, REPLACING AIR WITH INERT GAS IN THE CONTAINER AT THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL SIDE OF THE MEMBRANE, AND SUPPLYING TO THE CONTAINER BETWEEN THE RIGID CONTAINER WALL AND THE SIDE OF THE MEMBRANE OPPOSITE THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL GAS AT A PRESSURE HIGHER THAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND HIGHER THAN THE PRESSURE ON THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL SIDE OF THE MEMBRANE AND THEREBY SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING THE MEMBRANE TOWARD THE DISCRETE PARTICLE MATERIAL AND INCREASING THE PRESSURE OF THE INERT GAS TO A PRESSURE GREATER THAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. 